The biggest difference maker for the Mavs this season has been former Buck, center Zaza Pachulia who 18 double-doubles already this season and has provided above solid starts for Dallas. Along with Pachulia the Mavs have three players with Wisconsin ties which includes former Buck Charlie Villanueva, Madison star Devin Harris who is averaging 7.5 points off the bench and Marquette star Wesley Mathews who is averaging 13 points a game. What they bring that they didn’t have in their last matchup against the Bucks last week is that Deron Williams and Chandler Parsons will be starting. In his time playing Williams has had a resurgence after being nowhere to be seen in Brooklyn and Parsons gives Dallas another three point threat along with Williams, Mathews and veteran Dirk Nowitzki. This is the Mavericks’ most offensively minded lineup and their dangerous to any opposing team that doesn’t play consistent defense.

Projected Bucks Starters

G Michael Carter-Williams, 6-6, Syracuse

G Khris Middleton, 6-8, Texas A&M

F Giannis Antetokounmpo, 6-11, Greece

F Jabari Parker, 6-8, Duke

C Greg Monroe, 6-11, GeorgetownBucks’ Keys To Victory

Defense, defense, defense has been the Bucks’ biggest problem this season and if they do not properly use their size, they will get torched by the Mavs. In their meeting last week in Dallas they almost came back to win but the three point shooting of Mathews silenced it late in the fourth quarter. Much like their victories against great teams at home like Cleveland and Golden State, the Bucks need to embrace their role as the underdogs and being at home in front of a hot crowd who wants to see the team of the future. Jerryd Bayless has a sprained left ankle and will not play so they will need long distance shooting form their starters like Middleton, Parker, and especially off the bench from Vaughn, Mayo and Ennis if Prunty decides to give them extended playing time. Because I think the Bucks will take advantage of being at home, the game will be close but they must not let Dallas go on an extended scoring run.

A native of Appleton, Quin Voet is a writer for Cream City Central. A student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Voet covers has written for the UWM Post and the Southeast Wisconsin Sports Beat. He hopes that Cream City Central will be a great place for him to learn and grow in media while strengthening the Bucks fan base.

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